Sports Medicine | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

What We Treat

Because our team is trained in pediatrics, we understand that young athletes must be treated carefully to avoid long-term damage. Our multidisciplinary team includes sports medicine physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists and certified athletic trainers. We work together to develop specialized, effective treatments that return young athletes to playing their sport as safely and quickly as possible. We treat athletes with a wide range of sports-related injuries and conditions:

Back, neck and spine

Concussion
Low back pain
Muscular strains
Neck pain and posture
Spondylosis
Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
Scoliosis and abnormal posture
Thoracic pain

Upper body

Broken bones
Dislocations and subluxations
Gymnast wrist
Joint pain
Little league elbow: Little league elbow is an overuse condition that causes pain in the inner elbow. The pain may be severe and occur after one hard throw or occur gradually over a season. There may also be swelling, redness and warmth over the inner elbow. With repetitive throwing, and not enough rest in between, the growth cartilage in young athletes weakens and begins to develop tiny cracks. The cartilage may start to pull apart from the arm bone. This is an overuse injury. The best way to prevent and recover from any type of overuse is to rest and minimize the activity that is causing pain. It’s also important to use the right equipment and supportive footwear.
Little league shoulder
Post-operative shoulder and elbow
Shoulder impingement
Sprains and strains

Lower body

Ankle impingement
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
Apophysitis
Broken bones
Dislocations and subluxations
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
Hip impingement
Joint pain
Ligamentous and meniscal injuries
Osgood-Schlatter disease (pain below the kneecap)*: This is an overuse condition that causes swelling just below the knee on the upper part of the tibia, or shin bone. It's common in young athletes who participate in football, soccer, basketball, volleyball or gymnastics. The repetitive rigorous motion of walking or running during sports overworks the growth center of the knee, causing inflammation, pain and a bump or knot that arises at the top of the shin bone. It's most common in preteens at the peak of their growth potential and affects more boys than girls.
Patellofemoral stress syndrome (knee pain)*: Commonly known as runner’s knee, patellofemoral stress syndrome (PFSS) causes pain in the front of the knee. The pain increases with activities like running, jumping and going up and down stairs. It's common in runners and kids who play sports like soccer, lacrosse and volleyball. There are many causes including flat or pronated feet, knees that turn in while running, muscle imbalance, insufficient training and wearing shoes without enough support. Proper stretching and strengthening the muscles around the knee is an important key to prevention.
Post-operative hip, knee, ankle and foot
Sever’s disease (heel pain)*: This is an overuse condition that causes pain, swelling and tenderness in the heel. It's commonly seen in young athletes who do a lot of running and jumping. It is commonly found in gymnasts and soccer, football, basketball and baseball players. Sever's disease is caused by repetitive pulling on the Achilles tendon that overworks the growth center of the heel. The condition can persist for two to three years, but it won't lead to problems later in life if treated properly.
Shin splints
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease
Snapping hip
Sprains and strains

*Denotes an overuse injury. The best way to prevent and recover from any type of overuse is to rest and minimize the activity that is causing pain. It’s also important to use the right equipment and supportive footwear.

Our athletic trainers are present on the sidelines at high schools and sports venues to help ensure the safety of athletes and provide immediate care when injuries occur. Our pediatric-trained team of sports medicine physicians and orthopaedic surgeons evaluate injured athletes to determine the best course of treatment to get them back on the field. Our physical therapists teach athletes proper exercises to improve range of motion and strength, and use motion analysis technology to examine mechanics and identify flaws that may contribute to injury. Working together as a team, we provide high-quality care for our athletes with the goal of returning the athlete to their sport as quickly and safely as possible.

For more information, call 404-785-KIDS (5437).

Meet Our Patients

Below are some incredible athletes that you might see throughout Atlanta. These strong kids are not actors—they're real patients, with real stories. Scroll through to meet Nick, Aleks, Chaz, Zoe and Alison.

Sports We Specialize In

Our team understands the sports your athlete plays

Baseball/softball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Dance
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Hockey

Lacrosse
Running
Skating
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Volleyball
Wrestling

Our Unique Approach

At Children's, our Sports Medicine team provides comprehensive assessment, treatment and expert advice for young athletes with injuries and conditions that affect sports performance. Because we only work with kids, we recognize when they are ready to progress to the next level of treatment and how to push them. We use special equipment and technology to find and correct techniques and mechanics and improve sport performance. We have the technology, training and team to best treat your child. We offer same-day and next-day appointments at conveniently located facilities. Our services include:

Athletic training: We understand the demands and pressures that young athletes face as they play sports, and we believe they need to be managed differently than adults. Our team of certified athletic trainers advises young athletes on how to prevent injury and provides care if they get injured. We work with athletes to help them return safely to the field.
Physical therapy: Our physical therapists are experts trained in treating the causes of sports-related and orthopaedic injuries in young athletes. We address these issues so the athlete is able to return to their sport as quickly and as safely as possible.
Sports primary care: Our sports medicine physicians provide comprehensive evaluation for a wide range of conditions that affect all kinds of athletes, from baseball players to dancers. We will determine the cause of injury and provide instruction on next steps in the care of young athletes.
Sports surgery: Our orthopaedic surgeons have the expertise to surgically repair injuries in growing athletes.

Specialized treatment and testing

Read:
Natalie's Story

Meet the Team

U.S. News & World Report ranks us among the top pediatric orthopaedic programs in the country. Our surgeons, doctors, physical therapists and certified athletic trainers are dedicated to helping young athletes recover from sports injuries. Because we only work with kids, we recognize when they are ready to progress to the next level of treatment and how to push them. We use special equipment and technology to find and correct techniques and mechanics and improve sport performance. We have the technology, training and team to best treat your child.

Our program is led by orthopaedic specialists. Our doctors and surgeons work closely with orthopaedic surgeons in the community to help ensure complete, coordinated care is delivered seamlessly at our hospitals for children with sports medicine needs. Our Sports Medicine Program is led by our Medical Director, David Marshall, MD. and our Surgical Director, Michael T. Busch, MD. Our Orthopaedic Quality and Outcomes initiatives are led by our Medical Director, S. Clifton Willimon, MD.